The Great Film Festival

Join us August 27–30 at The Frida Cinema for four exciting days celebrating independent short films and the filmmakers who bring them to life. This year’s festival will feature a wide variety of short-film screening blocks, filmmaker Q&As, educational conversations, industry panels, networking mixers, special events, and an awards ceremony. From animation, drama, horror, and comedy to student films, Reel Ladies, Rainbow Reels, and our signature Great Films blocks, audiences will have opportunities to discover bold independent work and connect directly with the people behind the films. The Great Film Festival is designed to bring filmmakers, audiences, and entertainment-industry professionals together. Festival programming will include: Experience all four days of The Great Film Festival with one convenient pass. Your Full Festival Pass includes access to eligible film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, educational programming, mixers, and special festival events throughout the weekend. Early bird pricing is available for a limited time. Choose the festival day that works best for you and enjoy eligible screenings, panels, filmmaker Q&As, mixers, and special programming scheduled for that day. Individual tickets are available for $22 for individual film screening blocks and industry panels. This is a great option for guests who want to attend a specific screening, support a particular filmmaker, or join us for one of our industry conversations. Kick off the festival with the first of our signature Great Films screening blocks, featuring an eclectic collection of independent short films followed by a filmmaker Q&A. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Continue opening day with another curated selection of independent shorts and filmmaker Q&A. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Hear from entertainment-industry professionals and gain insight into filmmaking, careers, and the business of bringing creative work to audiences. Celebrate the official opening of The Great Film Festival with a special lineup of independent films, filmmaker Q&A, and opening-night festivities. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Friday begins with another collection of standout independent short films. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Discover even more independent filmmakers through our fourth Great Films block of the festival. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Experience a curated lineup of dramatic short films exploring compelling characters, emotional stories, and powerful perspectives. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. End the evening with an industry conversation featuring entertainment professionals sharing their experiences, knowledge, and insights. Saturday features educational programming, animation, women filmmakers, networking opportunities, an industry conversation, and a late-night horror showcase. Start Saturday by meeting filmmakers, artists, and members of the festival community. Join us for an educational conversation on “How I Raised Millions for Independent Films” hosted by Rob Margolies. Celebrate independent animation with a diverse collection of animated short films. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Reel Ladies celebrates women filmmakers and the stories, characters, and perspectives they bring to the screen. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Meet fellow filmmakers, actors, writers, producers, artists, and members of the creative community. Join us for another conversation with entertainment-industry professionals about filmmaking, careers, creative development, and navigating the industry. Close out Saturday night with our Great Horrors block—a collection of independent horror shorts ranging from unsettling and suspenseful to strange, dark, and terrifying. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Celebrate emerging voices with a curated collection of student short films. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Rainbow Reels celebrates LGBTQ+ filmmakers, stories, characters, and perspectives through an exciting collection of independent shorts. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Laugh your way into the final evening of the festival with a collection of independent comedy shorts. Film Lineup: Filmmaker Q&A follows the screening. Join filmmakers and festival guests as we celebrate this year’s films and recognize outstanding work from across The Great Film Festival. Finish four days of films, conversations, connections, and community by celebrating together at our closing-night reception. Whether you want to spend the entire weekend with us, attend for one day, support a particular filmmaker, or hear directly from industry professionals, there are multiple ways to experience The Great Film Festival. Full Festival Pass — $50 Early Bird Access eligible programming across all four festival days. Day Pass — $30 Access eligible festival programming on the day of your choice. Individual Event Ticket — $22 Attend an individual film screening block or industry panel. Whether you are a filmmaker, actor, writer, producer, entertainment professional, or passionate film lover, The Great Film Festival offers four days of opportunities to discover independent films, learn from industry professionals, meet filmmakers, and build meaningful creative connections. Full Festival Pass: $50 Early Bird Day Pass: $30 Individual Screening Block or Industry Panel: $22

Runtime

540 minutes